Lubricating device



April 26, 1938. a CUNMNGHAM ET AL 2,115,457

LUBRICATING DEV ICE Original Filed April 15, 1932- 5 Sheets-Shee t l April 26, 1938. H. B. CUNNINGHAM El AL 1 ,457

I LUBRICATING DEVICE Original Filed April. 15, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIII Il llllllllll lllllllll u llllllllllllllllllllllll llllllll April 26, 1938. CUNMNGHAM-ET AL 2,115,457

LUBRICATING DEVICE Original Filed April 13, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNV ENTOR Patented Apr. 26, 1938 UNITED STATES LUBRICATING DEVICE Homer B. Cunningham, Connellsvilleand'James W. Tucker, Pittsburgh, Pa;

Continuation of application Serial No. 665,082, April 13, 1932. This application April 28, 1934,

Serial No. 722,820

6 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to lubricating devices, and more particularly to lubricating devices for rotating parts such as axles, journals, bearings, etc. The invention relates still more particularly to lubricators of the type employing a lubricating pad and having supporting mechanism for maintaining the pad in cooperative relationship with the part to be lubricated.

This application is a continuation of our com pending application Serial No. 605,082, filed April 13, 1932, and includes features disclosed in our copending application Serial No. 587,434, filed January 18, 1932.

Lubricators for journals of the type comprising 15 a pad and-a supporting structure therefor are well known, but such lubricators have not prior to the present invention gone into actual commercial use to any appreciable extent. One reason for this is the relatively great expense of manufacture and 2 another reason is the difliculty of applying the lubricators, particularly in the journal boxes of American railway rolling stock, which require a lubricator which is flexible or bendable, particularly in the longitudinal direction, that is to say,

25 in the direction generally parallel to the axis of the axle or journal to be lubricated. A lubricator which is not freely flexible in the longitudinal direction cannot readily be applied in American railway journal boxes as the bottom of the box 30 opening is at an elevation almost as high as the axis of the axle, and the lubricator'has to be applied by passing it in a more or less circuitous path downwardly within the box and then inwardly around the end of the axle. To do this requires a longitudinally bendable or flexible lubricator, and lubricators of the same general type heretofore known which have possessed the requisite strength to properly do their work have in general been open to the objection that they 40 are either physically incapable of application within American railway journal boxes or, if forced into place therein, will be so permanently deformed that their utility is practically destroyed.

45 We provide a lubricator eliminating the disad- Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of certain preferred embodiments thereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings we have shown 5 certain preferred embodiments of the invention, in which Figure 1 is an end view of an axle, such as of a railroad car or other like vehicle, showing diagrammatically the bearing and the journal box, i I the latter in vertical cross section, and illustrating one way of applying a lubricator;

Figure 2 is a' detail perspective view of a lubricator supporting means;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a modified construction;

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view through the form shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a bottom plan View of a further modified construction;

Figure 6 is a plan view of a metal stamping which may be used to form the supporting means shownin Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view through a further modified form;

Figure 8 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional View through a still further modified form;

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing in disassembled relationship parts used in making the form shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a further modified form;

Figure 11 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view through the form shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a perspective View of a portion 'of a further modified form;

Figure 13 is a plan View of'a metal stamping which may be used to form the supporting means shown in Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a plan view of a further modified 19 form;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of portions of the'form shown in Figure 14 and in disassembled relationship;

Figure 16 is a plan view of a further modified form;

Figure 1'7 is a perspective view of a portion of the supporting means shown in Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of a still further modification;

Figure 19 is a perspective View of one form of lubricating pad; and

Figure 20 is a vertical-longitudinal cross-sectional view through a journal box showing a lubricator applied therein.

The various forms of supporting mechanism which have been selected for illustration by way of example are simply certain of the forms which have been devised and are no more advantageous or desirable thanother forms which might be used. in their placeto perform the same function.

The supportingVVmechanism for the. lubricating padis preferably resilient so as toVbe adapted to exert pressure, forexample between the bottom of a journal box-land a journalto be lubricated, and press the lubricating pad firmly Vbut yield-' in'gly against the journal'. V'Strip metal is well adapted for this purpose, and in certain of the V V forms of supporting mechanism shownVin'V'the bers arranged .in side by side relationship are'used ing mechanism may conveniently be made up of drawings metal strips or strip-like metal memto form the supporting mechanism. The supporta series of strip metal sections which may be closed or substantially closed upon themselves,

the respective sectionsextending transversely of the axis of the journal. The sections may be connected together in various Ways, such as integrally as shown in Figure 6, by fabricstrips or tapes as shownin Figure '2, or by flexible metal connecting pieces as shown in Figure 14.

V 'For some uses a fairly stiff pad supporting mechanism may be desirable. In Figure 18, for

example, there is shown a pad supporting device depending Vupon the size and quality of the wire,

in the form of a wire frame which, however,

may be made resilient. For most purposes, how-, ever, and particularly forlubricators adapted for use in the J'ou-rnal'boxes of American railway rolling stock,Va relatively high degree of longi- V tudinal flexibilityisdesired. This is because "in. the journal boxes of American railway rolling 'stockthe'bottom of .the'box at .the outside of the journal curves upwardly fairly close to the jour- V nal-toa vertical position closeto the journal axis.

7 It is therefore necessary in inserting-the lubrica tor to first introduce it in a generally downward direction between the inside of the journal box and the outer collar of the journaland then to move the lubricator around the collar, which, on

account'of the relatively small space available, 7 requires the lubricator itself during such move: 'ment to be turned'through an angle approaching 90' For such purposeswe atpresent prefer to join together or space apart the sections of thesupDOrting mechanism non-rigidly,'an'd we prefer'to 5 use entirely separate supporting mech- V anisr'n' sections and to apply the same to the tor thus formed isfreely bendable in the longilubr'icatin'gpad in such manner that the lubrica- V tudinal direction.

' comprising stitching and thenassociated with the pad. 7 The sections of thesupporting mechanism may A be connected together "or spaced apartin the desired flexible manner by the use of fabric such, for example, as in the form of fabric strips or tapes as' shownVin 'Figure 2; V'The fabric maybe connected with the sections of the"-supporting mechanism in various ways, as bysti-tching, riveting, as shown, for example, in Figures?" and 4,

etc.

The assembled supporting mechanism, if it is assembled prior to association with the lubricating pad, may be associated with the pad in various ways, either by direct connection, either temporary or permanent, or by frictional con V nection, such, for example, as in cases in which a tubular pad is used. When a pad of this type V is usedVand the supporting mechanism is assembled before association thereof with the pad the assembled supporting mechanism maysimply' be inserted withinthe pad and maintained therein by friction. It is desirable in most cases, however,

even though a tubular type pad is used and the supporting mechanism is first assembled and then inserted within the pad, 'to attach'the supporting mechanism to the pad as by stitching. It is found of'strips or, particularly for lubricators of relatively small size, in the form of a' tubular fabric core, the sections-of' the'supporting-.mechar ism T r 7 being non-rigidly spaced apart by the fabric,'and then to apply the assembled supporting mechanism to the pad, and toconnectthesame thereto by stitching together thefabric and the pad.

most satisfactory to preassemble the supporting" V mechanism by the use of fabric either in the form V This produces a permanent unitary lubricator which is highly efficient inoperation and suit-V ficiently rugged to withstand long use in an.

American railway journal box, f or example, and which is at the same time bendable or flexible in the longitudinal direction so asto render, the same readily applicable within an, American type journal box." V 1 V y The lubricating pad is madeof suitable absorbentmaterial, such, for example, as felt, which we find highly satisfactory; We prefer touse' a tubular type pad assuch a pad is moreefiicient in use than a non-tubular pad both with respect to the supplying of lubricant to the surface to be lubricated and with'respect-to wear? The pad is preferably soaked in lubricant so as to become thoroughly impregnated therewith 'before it is applied to a surface to be lubricated and the pad- Will gradually supplylubricant tosuch surface by capillary action, the lubricant being With-' drawn as, it is needed and lubricant in more re mote parts of the padmoving toward the'withdrawal area.

' V A lubricant impregnated lubricator may be used until the available lubricant'is substantially used up, or additionallubricant maybe applied either by removing the lubricator and reimpregnatingit or by :simply introducing additional "lubricant'tothe padwhile in place, such, for ex- It is' ample, as within a railway 'journal box.

not contemplated. that the pad should stand in a pool of lubricant, although it is equally well adaptedto this purpose if desired. A pad may be applied within a railway journal box and left in place indefinitely, additional lubricant being supplied to the box as necessary. The life of the pad is remarkable, although whenone side becomes worn it may be turned over and the other side applied to the'journal. r V I V r The pad supporting mechanism if made'of strip metal of proper quality retains its 'resiliency indefinitely, and if a pad becomes worn out its supporting mechanism,may be utilized in a new pad. Removal of thesupporting mechanism from an old pad andapplication thereof to a new pad is easily facilitated if the connection betweenthe supporting mechanism and the pad is simply frictional, as above su gested. However,

the'life of a pad is ordinarily long enough to warrant permanent connection'b'etween the support 76' ing mechanism and the pad, which is considered more satisfactory for most purposes.

Although the supporting mechanism preferably comprises closed or substantially closed sections, as of strip metal, the sections may be substantially open and still perform the desired function. For example, a section may comprise opposite :disconnccted stirips joined together or spaced apart non-rigidly by fabric and so arranged that when associated with a pad the strips will perform the desired function.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in purely diagrammatic'manner in Figure 1 an axle 2 having an end-flange 3 providing a journal 4. A journal bearing 5 is carried by the journal in usual manner and in turn carries a journal box 6. The journal, bearing and box may be of well known'or standard construction.

Applied within the journal box 6 is a lubricator '1 comprising a lubricating pad 8 and an inner supporting structure 9. The lubricating pad 8 is of tubular form and the supporting structure is applied within thesame. The supporting structure 9 is shown per se in Figure 2. It comprises a plurality of metal strips l0 arranged in. side by side relation, each bent substantially into the form of a figure 8. The respective strips l0 form sections which are nonrigidly joined together and spaced apart by fabric tapes H arranged as shown in Figure 2, each of the tapes being stitched about each of the sections of the supporting mechanism. Each section may be maintained in its desired form by a rivet l2, and a supplemental spring member I3 may also be applied within the lower portion of each section as shown.

The primary purpose of the supporting mechanism, whether it be constructed as shown in Figure 2 or as shown in other of the figures, or otherwise, is to provide a vertically resilient longitudinally bendable or flexible device which will maintain the lubricating pad in place with respect to the journal to be lubricated and which may be applied within an American type journal box. The supporting mechanism is preferably preassembled as shown in Figure 2 and then inserted within a tubular felt lubricating pad in which it may be stitched if desired, the fabric tapes ll providing a ready means of stitching the same in place. If it is desired not to use the tapes I l the individual sections of the supporting mechanism may be separately applied within the pad and each of such sections may, if desired, be separately connected with the pad, as by stitching or by the use of fabric and stitching, the fabric being applied coincidentally with the supporting section. Also the tapes, sections of the supporting mechanism and pad may be assembled and all stitched together when in assembled relationship.

When fabric is used it is preferably employed in double thickness, as shown in Figure 2, so as to pass on both sides of the metal strips. The two thicknesses of the fabric may be stitched together intermediate the metal strips, thus non-rigidly spacing such strips apart.

Figures 3 and 4 show a modified form of supporting mechanism comprising sections 22 of oval form arranged in spaced side by side relationship each having disposed centrally therein a circular ring 23 and an S-shaped resilient member 24', the members 22, 23 and 24' being fastened together by rivets 24. The respective sections are connected together by fabric webbings or strips 25 and 26 which non-rigidly space the same apart.

The supporting mechanism shown in Figures 3 and 4, as well as those of the other figures to be described, may be substituted for the supporting mechanism 9 'within the tubular pad 8 shown in Figure 1.

A further modified form is shown in Figures 5 and 6. In these figures there'are shown alternately arranged members 28 and 29 spaced apart either by riveting as shown in Figure 3 or by stitching as shown in Figure 5.

In the form of Figure 7 there are provided sections 32 of oval form made up of strip metal members riveted together by rivets 33 as shown. There is included an arched leaf spring 34 to the ends of which are applied tapes 35, there also being applied to the members 32 additionaltapes 36.

A further modification is shown in Figures 8 and 9. In such figures the loop member 31 has fitted therein the spring members 38 and 39 which are riveted thereto by rivets 45 as shown in Figure 8.

A further form is shown in Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13. Each member 4| isa metal stamp-ing, as shown in Figure 13, such members being deformed and assembled as shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12. Each member 4| has a stamped out recess 42 at each of two opposite corners, the end portions 43 being bent as shown in Figure 12 and riveted together at 44 as shown in Figure 11. Tapes 45 are provided as in the other forms.

A further modification is shown in Figures 14 and 15 in which each section of the supporting mechanism: comprises a member lfibent to form the reverse curves 4! and 48 and with its ends 49 riveted at 50, together with a tape 5!. Other tapes 52 are provided which are riveted to the sections at 53, together with short flexible metallic strips 54.

A still further modification is shown in Figures 16 and 17 in which each section 55 of the supporting mechanism is cut away at 56 to provide relatively thin. end portions 51 which are bent as shown in Figure 1'7 and riveted at 58, together with tapes 59.

The supporting mechanism shown in Figure 18 is different than the other forms in that it is made of round wire Gil bent as shown and having opposite portions welded together at Bl. This device may be made out of fiexible wire of proper quality and may have the desired degree of flexibility for the purpose intended.

A lubricating pad 20 is shown in Figure 19. This pad is of tubular or generally cylindrical construction and is made out of absorbent material, such as felt. There is applied to the pad an extension 2| which may be stitched thereto at 9 and which is for the purpose of delivering lubricant to a point adjacent a wheel mounted on the axle to which the lubricant is applied. The manner in which such extension functions is illustrated in Figure 20.

In Figure 20 the pad is shown at 20 and the extension at 2|. The supporting mechanism M for the pad may be of any of the forms above described or of some other form. The axle being lubricated is shown at 15, the bearing at 16, the box at I! and the wheel at l8. The construction ofFigure 20-may, for example, be of a locomotive'dri-ving wheel which is disposed out side'the lubricator ratherthan inside as is the case with carwheels; The box has an opening 52 through which the projection 2| extends into vent -undue'frictiontherebetween. v1 1 a Provisidn 1 is made forpreventingrotation jof the' lubricating device due to" movementof the surface being lubricated." For example, there is atendency forza hollow journal' lubricating pad totend to rotate due to rotation of-the journal and the frictional engagement ibetween the dournalandthe' pad; f-"Ihere is also -a' tendency for thepad totend to follow the'journal' up the'side of the jou'rnal boxJ- "We providefor counteractirig these tendencies by the provision of means for preventing rotation of'the'pad'and'for maim taining the "pad in fixed relation to "the surface beinglubricated.Such means are shown, for example, ineach of Figures'l, 4, '7, 8, 9, 11,12; and'1'7; "In each of the constructions shown in said 'figuresmeans areprovided within the pad supporting structure, preventing rotation" thereof, as willbe obv'iousL: For example, referring tofthe construction shown in Figure 1,

rotation isprevented by the portions of the-sup porting structure extending across the" hollow of the-pad. Any tendency of the pad to" rotate one way orithe other is positively counteracted and'the pad willremain inplace and in fixed relationto the journal.

While we haveshown and described certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to bedistihctlyi understood that the same is not limited'thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within "the scope of thefollowing claims.

We 01mm: 1 j

'1. Alubricating device comprising a flexible lubricant applicator, a plurality of metal spring members for urging" the applicator against a member to' be lubricated'said metal spring memj bers being connected with 'the, applicator at spaced. pointstherealong so that the device is bendable therebetween, and fabricf meansffor maintaining said metal spring membersin spaced apartrelationf" v V V W E 2.'A ilubricatingfdevice comprising a hollow peripherally closed flexible lubricant applicator,

a plurality of 'meanswithin the applicator ex tending generally: transversely laterally of the applicator -for urging the'applicat'or against a member tobe lubricated,'and means for concontaining its 'longitudinal axis without perrn'a I nent deformation. 7 7 v v 4. A lubricating device comprising a hollowperipherally closed flexible lubricant applicator; a pluralityof means within thea plicator extend ing generally'transversely'laterally of the applicator forurging the' app'licator againsta member to belubricatedfand means for connecting said first ''mentioned means with the applicator in spacedfapart"relation fthe lubricating device bemg freely bendable generally in all planes con deformationi" I V 5. A lubricating devicecomprising;a'hollowpe ripherally' closed flexible lubricant applicator, a plurality of metal spiing members within the taining its longitudinal axis without permanent V applicator for urging the I applicator" against a member to 'be' lubricated, said metal spring members being c0nnected -with" th'e applicator at spaced points therealong so that all parts of each of saidmetalspring members are free to move toward andaway from each metal spring member adjacent theretog'and means comprising stitching cooperating with a non-metallic por' tion of the device 'for'maintaining'said metal spring members in spaced apart relation, 6.-'A lubricating device comprising a hollow peripherally closed flexible lubricant applicator,

a' plurality of lfiat metal isprings extending generally transversely laterally of the applicator for urging; the applicator against 'amember :to be lubricated, said springs being solely individually connected'with the applicator at spaced points therealon'g, the lubricating devicebeing freely bendable generallyiin a plane containing its longitudinal axis without permanent deformation.

' 7 HOMER, "B. CUNNINGHAM. JAMES W; TUCKER. I 

